On October 5th, the President signed the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act into law.

10.27.10

President Signs Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act

On October 5th, the President signed the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act into law. This important legislation changes the eligibility requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid so that compensation of up to $2,000 for participating in clinical trials won’t be considered income in SSI and Medicaid determinations. Passage of the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act shows the importance of participating in the legislative process and IMF thanks all of our advocates for all of their assistance in seeing this legislation become law.

House Passes Resolution on Blood Cancer Awareness Month

The House of Representatives passed H Res 1433 declaring September as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. This resolution recognized September 2010 as Blood Cancer Awareness Month and highlighted the impact blood cancers have in the United States each year and encouraged greater support for blood cancer research and education. Thank you to everyone who spent 5 minutes to write their U.S. Representative and urge him or her to co-sponsor H Res 1433. Your efforts helped us to meet our goal of not only obtaining at least 100 cosponsors, but also ensuring that the resolution passed.

Are You a Member of the Myeloma Action Network?

Want to stay informed about IMF’s advocacy activities? All you need to do is to join the Myeloma Action Network at www.advocacy.myeloma.org and you will automatically receive e-mail advocacy alerts from the IMF. To learn more about health care reform and other important advocacy issues that impact the myeloma community, please visit the IMF advocacy page at www.myeloma.org.

For more information about the legislation listed above or any other IMF advocacy initiative, contact IMF’s Director of Government Relations, Christine Murphy at cmurphy@myeloma.org or 703-738-1498.